ILAN EL

Commissioned as a collaborative centrepiece with PMG Group, Kinetic Landscape is a site-specific installation that transforms the lobby of 628 Bourke Street into a fluid architectural threshold. The work was realised to dissolve the boundaries between Melbourne’s urban energy and the building’s interior, capturing the essence of a sudden gust of wind carrying autumn leaves deep into the heart of the space. The journey begins at the street entrance, where sculptural leaves appear to "swoop"… Show more

Commissioned as a collaborative centrepiece with PMG Group, Kinetic Landscape is a site-specific installation that transforms the lobby of 628 Bourke Street into a fluid architectural threshold. The work was realised to dissolve the boundaries between Melbourne’s urban energy and the building’s interior, capturing the essence of a sudden gust of wind carrying autumn leaves deep into the heart of the space. The journey begins at the street entrance, where sculptural leaves appear to "swoop" inward, spiralling upward in a choreographed flight through the expansive seven-storey atrium. This vertical movement activates the grand void, turning a transitional lobby into a destination of light and discovery.

To achieve a sense of weightless suspension and shifting light, the installation utilises a sophisticated dual-materiality approach that plays with transparency and reflection. Custom-forged glass elements act as light-bearing anchors, providing a soft, internal glow that radiates through the atrium. These are interspersed with leaves of hand-painted mirror stainless steel, designed to catch and scatter the surrounding environment—reflecting the movement of the lobby, the passers-by, and the changing Victorian sky.

By merging industrial artistry with organic form, Kinetic Landscape creates a living, breathing atmosphere. As light filters through the forged glass and dances off the mirrored steel, the installation offers a sense of constant, quiet motion - a poetic bridge between the streetscape and the workspace. Show less

Commissioned by The Australian War Memorial, the pendant lights draw inspiration from a historic World War II Boat's Lantern (Accession Number REL/04094) with its design paying tribute to a poignant piece of naval history. It echoes the story of a lantern from the HMAS Canberra, a County class heavy cruiser that faced devastating damage during the Battle of Savo Island on the night of August 9, 1942.

The original lantern was aboard one of the ship's lifeboats and was scarred by shrapnel… Show more

Commissioned by The Australian War Memorial, the pendant lights draw inspiration from a historic World War II Boat's Lantern (Accession Number REL/04094) with its design paying tribute to a poignant piece of naval history. It echoes the story of a lantern from the HMAS Canberra, a County class heavy cruiser that faced devastating damage during the Battle of Savo Island on the night of August 9, 1942.

The original lantern was aboard one of the ship's lifeboats and was scarred by shrapnel during the intense battle. After the cruiser was immobilised by torpedo and shell fire, it was eventually sunk to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. This lantern was carried to safety by Midshipman Peter Henley Wilson, who survived the ordeal.

Designed and made by multidisciplinary artist ILAN EL, the pendant light was crafted from brass and forged glass, honouring the memory of the ship and its crew. The brass structure reflects the lantern's rugged origins, while the forged glass casts a warm glow reminiscent of the candle light that guided sailors through the darkness.

This handmade piece serves as a symbol of resilience, echoing the story of survival and sacrifice during that fateful night. It stands as a lasting tribute at the Australian War Memorial, connecting the past to the present with illuminating radiance. Show less

Inspired by the Hydra Constellation, this bespoke chandelier, is the centerpiece in a celebrity chef's new home. It features 13 hand-blown glass spheres that evoke the constellation's 13 stars. The spheres are crafted with a unique 'molten' pattern, showcasing a textured, almost celestial surface reminiscent of glowing planets suspended in space.

The design's structure emanates from a central canopy, with the glass spheres delicately balanced on sleek, minimalist arms of varying lengths.… Show more

Inspired by the Hydra Constellation, this bespoke chandelier, is the centerpiece in a celebrity chef's new home. It features 13 hand-blown glass spheres that evoke the constellation's 13 stars. The spheres are crafted with a unique 'molten' pattern, showcasing a textured, almost celestial surface reminiscent of glowing planets suspended in space.

The design's structure emanates from a central canopy, with the glass spheres delicately balanced on sleek, minimalist arms of varying lengths. These arms radiate outward, creating a dynamic arrangement that mirrors the spatial depth and complexity of the Hydra Constellation. Each light appears to float, capturing the essence of celestial elegance and creating an ambient, ethereal glow.

The chandelier seamlessly blends artistry and function, transforming the space with its sculptural presence. It serves as both a functional lighting fixture and a work of art, reflecting the homeowner's appreciation for unique, star-inspired design elements. Show less

Commissioned by The Hour Glass Australia, the “Temporal Grid” art installation is grounded in the principles of precision, repetition, order, time, and place, creating a dynamic interplay between art and

functionality. Inspired by Adelaide’s iconic grid layout, this expansive installation mirrors the city’s structured dimensions, seamlessly connecting the concept to the store’s location and embedding it within the local context.

It comprises 285 suspended forged textured glass… Show more

Commissioned by The Hour Glass Australia, the “Temporal Grid” art installation is grounded in the principles of precision, repetition, order, time, and place, creating a dynamic interplay between art and

functionality. Inspired by Adelaide’s iconic grid layout, this expansive installation mirrors the city’s structured dimensions, seamlessly connecting the concept to the store’s location and embedding it within the local context.

It comprises 285 suspended forged textured glass panels in seven sizes, meticulously crafted to ensure exactitude and uniformity, utilising a total glass area of 60 square meters with zero waste. Among these, 36 are etched with Roman numerals, reflecting the 12 hours of a clock.

Enveloped by vibrant RGBW LEDs, the installation breathes life into its surroundings, transforming into a dynamic kaleidoscope of colours that mimic the living urban landscape.

A heartfelt thankyou to The Hour Glass team for choosing our proposal, James Harper from Brooking Harper who set the challenge whilst providing unwavering support throughout the project, and Michael Straughair from the Barrett Group for championing the installation. It's been an honour to work with you all and bring our vision to light. Show less

A breathtaking installation of 400 forged glass leaves welcomes the guests to the club and leads the way to the restaurants on either side of the entry foyer.

Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for Melbourne Now, ILANEL was approached to collaborate with artist Jenna Lee on Balarr (To become light)—a transcultural installation reimagining traditional Gulumerridjin dilly bags as Kyoto-style paper lanterns.

While the lanterns themselves were a collaboration between Lee and the historic Kojima Shōten in Kyoto, ILANEL’s role was focused exclusively on the technical illumination of these delicate forms.

To achieve a light… Show more

Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for Melbourne Now, ILANEL was approached to collaborate with artist Jenna Lee on Balarr (To become light)—a transcultural installation reimagining traditional Gulumerridjin dilly bags as Kyoto-style paper lanterns.

While the lanterns themselves were a collaboration between Lee and the historic Kojima Shōten in Kyoto, ILANEL’s role was focused exclusively on the technical illumination of these delicate forms.

To achieve a light that felt organic and integral to the artwork, we developed two distinct lighting applications. For the basket handles, we utilised neon LED filaments encased in a specialised fibreglass sleeve. This bespoke solution added a fibrous, tactile texture to the light source, allowing the handle to glow while complementing the woven bamboo structure.

Internally, the neon elements were exposed yet carefully concealed from direct view. We engineered the placement to ensure the washi paper was illuminated evenly and beautifully, creating a soft, warm glow from within without revealing the light source. Show less

“A contemporary luminaire emitting coloured light, Ora: an interactive eclipse 2008 (designed) 2020 (manufactured) is displayed as part of a broad range of projects relating to ideas of illumination. Presented in the company of NGV’s Collection of early twentieth century design, the work draws associations with the development of psychological inquiry and the growing awareness of environmental factors on human emotions and behaviour. A large black disc, the automated light work moves through… Show more

“A contemporary luminaire emitting coloured light, Ora: an interactive eclipse 2008 (designed) 2020 (manufactured) is displayed as part of a broad range of projects relating to ideas of illumination. Presented in the company of NGV’s Collection of early twentieth century design, the work draws associations with the development of psychological inquiry and the growing awareness of environmental factors on human emotions and behaviour. A large black disc, the automated light work moves through the visible light spectrum – which appears in a halo effect – emitting coloured ambient light in a durational display over three minutes. An enduring topic of research and study, the effect of light spectra and its potential to evoke positive psychological, autonomic responses in people is a preoccupation for designer Ilan El.” Show less

Exhibited at the NGV Triennial 2020, Cloud Formations is a spatial installation by Danish architect Cecilie Bendixen that captures the fluid, fleeting beauty of natural phenomena. Suspended among the gallery’s 19th and 20th-century collections, the four voluminous textile clouds required a lighting solution that was as ethereal and precise as the sculptures themselves.

Commissioned to illuminate the work from within, ILANEL designed and manufactured a bespoke system nicknamed the… Show more

Exhibited at the NGV Triennial 2020, Cloud Formations is a spatial installation by Danish architect Cecilie Bendixen that captures the fluid, fleeting beauty of natural phenomena. Suspended among the gallery’s 19th and 20th-century collections, the four voluminous textile clouds required a lighting solution that was as ethereal and precise as the sculptures themselves.

Commissioned to illuminate the work from within, ILANEL designed and manufactured a bespoke system nicknamed the "Spiderlights." Engineered to integrate seamlessly with the delicate, hand-stitched structure, each fixture features a central washer with six malleable steel wire legs. This custom design allows the lights to be securely "stood" or hooked into the cloud’s inner threads without casting shadows or damaging the fabric.

Finished in a Two-Pack Satin White, the hardware disappears completely into the textile, allowing the dimmable LEDs to create a soft, internal glow that mimics the interaction of sunlight and moisture. Following the success of the NGV debut, the studio has continued to collaborate with Bendixen, supplying this specialised lighting solution for subsequent commissions in Beirut, Norway, and the Ivory Coast. Show less

SAVE THE CHILDREN ILLUMINATION GALA, NYC

On October 25th 2016, Save The Children held their fourth annual Illumination Gala at The Plaza hotel’s majestic ballroom in New York City. ILANEL had the honour of creating a spectacular lighting installation for the main stage, capturing a sense of old Hollywood glamour with his sparkling Rain lights.

Since 1919, Save The Children has been investing in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Around the world, they… Show more

SAVE THE CHILDREN ILLUMINATION GALA, NYC

On October 25th 2016, Save The Children held their fourth annual Illumination Gala at The Plaza hotel’s majestic ballroom in New York City. ILANEL had the honour of creating a spectacular lighting installation for the main stage, capturing a sense of old Hollywood glamour with his sparkling Rain lights.

Since 1919, Save The Children has been investing in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Around the world, they give children a healthy start, the opportunity to lean and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.

Hosted by actor and Save The Children trustee, Jennifer Garner, this year’s event also included special guest performer Jennifer Nettles along with the honorees who included philanthropist Bachir Boumaaza, screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, iconic supermodel Iman and Toys “R” Us.

The lighting installation that glittered across the stage was created with numerous drops of Rain lights designed by ILANEL. Show less

39 STEPS

An interactive lighting installation at JAHM's (Justin Art House Museum) central staircase. Commissioned by Leah and Charles Justin and brought to life in collaboration with David Smith/ DigiSen.

39 steps is an installation that mediates between light and darkness through transparent colour. It is a rich immersion of play, experiment and the unpredictable.

Through its choreography of light shows the central staircase at JAHM becomes an experience that transforms… Show more

39 STEPS

An interactive lighting installation at JAHM's (Justin Art House Museum) central staircase. Commissioned by Leah and Charles Justin and brought to life in collaboration with David Smith/ DigiSen.

39 steps is an installation that mediates between light and darkness through transparent colour. It is a rich immersion of play, experiment and the unpredictable.

Through its choreography of light shows the central staircase at JAHM becomes an experience that transforms the perfunctory in a built environment into something random, and unexpected.

As people walk up and down the four flights of stairs, illuminated step rises are randomly triggered by motion sensors embedded in the architecture . Each flight becomes a LED screen, where light shows illume and fade, race or trickle up and down and side to side.

No ascent or descent is the same. As the subtle interplay of lights and pattern change the way people feel, they become animated, excited, playful and curious.

The desire to create an unpredictable experience of rhythm, spectrum and illumination demanded technical innovation. Transforming each step required 60 RGBW pixels, more than 2100 pixel chips, almost 6,500 thousand channels and 1500 lines of programming code to give the appearance of random variegated light shows.

39 steps is never static, it will continue to evolve with more light shows, experimentation with screening content, and play of form. Show less

SOL is a celebration of the majestic Australian Sun

Sources of light as an architectural device have long held a fascination of contemplation and divine inspiration. The piece references Berini's baroque theatricality by thrusting golden rays into centre stage in this bespoke luminary. The engraved front face is an emblematic dotted sun, influenced by graphic indigenous representations. SOL stimulates the senses, elevates the soul, using tension, texture and naturalism.

This… Show more

SOL is a celebration of the majestic Australian Sun

Sources of light as an architectural device have long held a fascination of contemplation and divine inspiration. The piece references Berini's baroque theatricality by thrusting golden rays into centre stage in this bespoke luminary. The engraved front face is an emblematic dotted sun, influenced by graphic indigenous representations. SOL stimulates the senses, elevates the soul, using tension, texture and naturalism.

This bespoke piece is a one off creation Show less

Located in the Royal Bank Chambers building, Collins St, Melbourne, built in 1941, Deco chandelier is a tribute to the era’s eclectic influences.
A thirteen metre tall ArtDeco-style chandelier – using contemporary materials mixed with Egyptian and Japanese influences.
To maximise illumination, the chandelier uses a clear film material imprinted with symmetrical patterns that reflect the Art Deco design characteristics. All components were custom-made over a six month production process… Show more

Located in the Royal Bank Chambers building, Collins St, Melbourne, built in 1941, Deco chandelier is a tribute to the era’s eclectic influences.
A thirteen metre tall ArtDeco-style chandelier – using contemporary materials mixed with Egyptian and Japanese influences.
To maximise illumination, the chandelier uses a clear film material imprinted with symmetrical patterns that reflect the Art Deco design characteristics. All components were custom-made over a six month production process, followed by a thirteen hour installation to suspend the chandelier from the ceiling. A pulley system concealed in the ceiling allows the raising and lowering of the chandelier for cleaning and to replace light bulbs if required.
The result is a spectacular modern addition to the building that fits in with the style and heritage of the original architecture. Show less

In central, western and southern parts of Australia, a black stone was revered as rare and much prized by the people of the land for its curative powers. Often with various purposes, they were looked upon as object of magic and mystery, most commonly applied in sorcery or medical use. Commonly known as obsidian, the artifact is extraordinarily dark in colour, extremely brittle and highly reflective. They were gathered with respect for ceremonial and healing purposes, such as native… Show more

In central, western and southern parts of Australia, a black stone was revered as rare and much prized by the people of the land for its curative powers. Often with various purposes, they were looked upon as object of magic and mystery, most commonly applied in sorcery or medical use. Commonly known as obsidian, the artifact is extraordinarily dark in colour, extremely brittle and highly reflective. They were gathered with respect for ceremonial and healing purposes, such as native physiotherapy.

Rituals of now, still practice in the transmission of message. An obsidian pendulum tied to an electrical cord suspended from a pivot can demonstrate the same rotation of Earth, the natural physics of gravity, period of oscillation, inertia, and even air drag - but all conclude an equilibrium position. Conversely, a thurible with burning incense is used to purify holy spaces and beckon the divine creator. Fundamentally, this revelation of ceremony gives evidence to neurological patterns of the right hemisphere ( אונה ימנית ), as an ancient engraving of ghost lines that appear before time has stopped.

The unification of opposites, field of knowledge and the polarised worldview of Ilan El and George Angelovski profanely harmonises the study of mental function and behaviour of light through ritual. Show less

A large scale light installation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, Qatar.

ilanel were commissioned to design and manufacture this 3.2m circular Rain chandelier consisting of a staggering 100 drops of shimmering lights.

This light installation will be the feature piece at the hotel’s new outdoor dinning area.

In collaboration with Blue Sky Hospitality.